Those responsible for the poison gas attacks in Syria in 2017 should be held accountable. “Impunity for these terrible acts will not be tolerated,” said EU foreign chief Josep Borrell on behalf of the 27 Member States.
Researchers from the International Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague found that the Syrian Air Force was behind multiple poison gas attacks in the country, killing tens of people.
In a report on Wednesday, the OPCW first held the Syrian government responsible for three attacks in March 2017, using chlorine gas and the nerve agent sarin.
The European Union takes over the conclusions and in a statement strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Air Force.
Accountability is essential to prevent the re-use of chemical weapons, the EU said. Its use always violates international law and can amount to a war crime or crimes against humanity.
It is now up to the international community to take “appropriate action”.
The EU has previously imposed sanctions against Syrian government officials and scientists for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons and is ready to take further sanctions, the statement said.